In 6th century BC, around the time that the story of Esther unfolded, the Babylonians besieged Jerusalem and destroyed King Solomon’s temple, a significant marker of Jewish culture. It was a devastating loss and thousands of Jews across the empire were forced into exile and captivity, known as the ‘Babylonian Exile.’
Wrapped up in this
greater cultural conflict was another tension, the Persian king, King Ahasuerus
of Shushan had harshly dethroned, divorced and ousted Vashti, all on the basis
of her refusing to submit to the king and appear before him when summoned. So,
this was the cultural climate that Esther faced when she stepped into the
palace, and it was not easy as a woman, let alone as a Jewish woman. Without
God’s favor, she very well may not have succeeded.
Mordecai, the spiritual
Cheer leader
Reading this passage in
the book of Esther, I began thinking about how, in Esther’s story, Mordecai
played an important role in the setting up of the circumstances for her
journey. Pre-ordained by God, Mordecai was called to raise this orphaned girl
(Verse 7), and played such a tremendous role to point her back to her purpose.
Long before Mordecai’s own lifetime, a descendant of the Benjamite line,
Mordecai’s life had been marked for the purpose of raising up and encouraging
our heroine. He was ‘the certain Jew’, not just any Jew, who was called to
encourage Esther to protect her identity and watch over her as she sought favor
with the king, making her way to the throne (Verse 11). He was willing to take
the risk.
Perhaps you have even
been called to be this person for someone else in your world. Mordecai was an
insignificant Jew but he played a significant role in the life of Esther and in
the lives of the Jews, so people could see God’s favour. God delights to pour
His favour on obedient risk takers. Sometimes we just need to put away selfishness
and grow in a desire to build others up. Be someone’s cheerleader today.
(Hebrews 3:13). Ask God to bring someone to mind that you should reach out to,
especially this season of lent, as we meditate on the sacrificial love
demonstrated on the cross.
God’s favour
Hegai was the king’s
eunuch (Esther 2:3), a person entrusted with the oversight of the king’s
harem. Now the young woman (Esther) pleased
him (Hegai), and she obtained his favor; so, he readily gave beauty
preparations to her, besides her allowance. He assigned to her seven female
attendants selected from the king’s palace and moved her and her attendants
into the best place in the harem. (Verse 8)
Hard as it may seem to
believe, God also has favor over our lives in our present age, today. God is
able to position us in places of favour, allow us to have favour with individuals
and honour us for things we have not worked for. This is the favour of God. Not
like the world who tries to manipulate and negotiate favour with others. This
is supernatural favour! God’s favour chases all oppositions.
God wants to place people
in our lives that will champion our cause and call us to good positions. Psalm
5:12 says, “For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will
surround him as with a shield” If you would like to open the door to the favor
and grace of God, begin to find out what He says in His Word. Discover the
countless ways He desires to bless you. Believe Him. This a season of God’s
favour, declare it!
Suggested prayer
Lord, I choose to be
attentive to your voice. May I be alert to your Spirit’s guiding, to know whom
I should reach out to. Help me to always heed the gentle promptings of the
Spirit within my heart, so that I may not miss an opportunity to minister to
others in times of need. I do thank You that You have promised the sufficiency
of your wonderful grace and what a comfort it is to rest in Your favour. Thank you,
Lord. Increase my faith and let me put my trust in You. In Jesus name, Amen.
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